Can You Lock Out Rear Suspension Mountain Bike? Things You Need to Know About The Rear Suspension Lock Out of Your Mountain Bike.
One of the most important features of a modern mountain bike is the rear suspension.
Rear suspension helps to improve the comfort of the rider by absorbing some of the bumps and vibrations that are transmitted through the frame and wheels.
It also helps to improve traction by keeping the tires in contact with the ground, even when the terrain is rough.
Some of these modern mountain bikes can lock out the rear suspension system depending on the rider’s requirements and the terrain type.
Want to learn more about locking out your mountain bike suspensions?
Read this article to find out more about mountain bike suspensions, the best situations to lock them up, the pluses & minuses of locking up suspensions, and the importance of suspension lockouts.
The Best Situations to Lock Out The Rear Suspension of Your Mountain Bike
When you’re riding your mountain bike, there are certain situations when it’s best to lock out the rear suspension.
This will ensure that your bike is better able to handle the terrain and will prevent you from getting bounced around too much. Here are some of the best situations to lock out your rear suspension:
Smooth Trails:
When you’re riding on smooth trails, locking out your rear suspension can help you maintain better control of your bike.
This is because the suspension will be less likely to bounce around, making it easier for you to stay on course. Locking out the rear suspension can help you go faster since there will be less resistance from the suspension.
Paved Roads:
Locking out your rear suspension is also a good idea when you’re riding on paved roads. This is because the suspension will absorb less shock from the road, making it more comfortable for you to ride.
Additionally, locking out your rear suspension can help your pedalling efficiency since there will be less energy lost in the suspension.
Climbing:
Locking out your rear suspension can help you maintain better traction when you’re climbing. This is because the suspension will be less likely to compress, giving you more contact with the ground.
In addition, keeping your rear suspension locked out will save energy because you won’t have to pump the suspension as much.
For an Energetic Ride:
It’s no secret that one of the best ways to get more out of your bike ride is to lock out the rear suspension. Doing so will make your ride more energetic and help you avoid any potential injuries that can come from riding with a bouncy suspension.
Well-Used Off-Road Trails:
Riding on well-used off-road trails is another great situation to lock out your rear suspension.
This is because the trails are likely to be smoother than other off-road trails, making it easier for you to maintain control of your bike.
Locking out your rear suspension can help you conserve energy since you won’t have to pump the suspension as much.
Remember, locking out your rear suspension is only necessary for certain situations. If you’re riding around on flat, smooth ground, there’s no need to lock it out. But in more difficult terrain, locking out your rear suspension can give you a big advantage.
How to Lock Out the Rear Suspension of a Mountain Bike?
The rear suspension on a mountain bike is designed to absorb the bumps and jolts from riding over rough terrain.
However, there are times when you may want to “lock out” the suspension, such as when climbing hills or riding on smooth roads.
There are two main ways to lock out the rear suspension on a mountain bike. The first is to use a lever built into the suspension fork. This lever usually has two positions, “open” and “locked”.
Some bikes have a lever built into the frame that can be used to lock out the rear suspension.
If your bike does not have this lever, in that case, you are out of luck, and you will need to find an after-market tool to get this done. Attach the pump to the shock absorber and pump until the suspension is locked.
VISUAL EXPLANATIONS:
Can You Lock Out the Rear Suspension of Your Mountain Bike at Different Pressure Levels?
Most mountain bikes have a rear suspension lockout feature that allows you to adjust the amount of pressure required to lock out the suspension.
This can be handy if you’re riding on a particularly rough trail and want to avoid bottoming out.
To adjust the pressure level, turn the knob on the shock absorber clockwise to increase the pressure or counterclockwise to decrease it. Experiment with different settings to find what works best for you.
Using a shock pump is the most common and straightforward way to lock out your rear suspension. Attach the pump to the Schrader valve on your shock and pump it up to the desired pressure. The pump will have a gauge that lets you know how much pressure you’re putting in.
So there you have it! You can easily adjust the pressure level on your rear suspension lockout to suit your needs. Just remember to experiment until you find the perfect setting for your riding style.
What Happens if You Ride on Rough Terrain With a Locked Out Rear Shock?
When you ride over rough terrain, your bike will naturally want to absorb the bumps and shocks from the ground.
However, if your rear shock is locked out, this can’t happen as easily. This can lead to a jarring and uncomfortable ride and put extra stress on other parts of your bike. So it’s generally not recommended to ride on rough terrain with a locked-out rear shock.
If you do need to ride on such terrain, it’s best to unlock your rear shock first. This will give your bike the ability to absorb the bumps and shocks better and make for a more comfortable and enjoyable ride.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Locking Out the Rear Suspension
Well, when you lock out the rear suspension on your bike, it essentially means that you are disconnecting the shock absorbers from the frame.
This allows you to pedal more efficiently without worrying about losing energy through the suspension system.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to locking out the rear suspension on your bike. Let’s take a look at some of them now:
Advantages:
- Increased Efficiency:
As we mentioned above, one of the main advantages of locking out the rear suspension is that it can help to improve your pedalling efficiency.
This is due to the fact that you are no longer losing energy through the shock absorbers, allowing you to put more power into your pedaling.
2 Better Traction:
Another advantage of locking out the rear suspension is that it can help to improve traction.
This is because there is less movement in the frame, resulting in better tire contact with the ground.This then leads to improved grip and traction, especially when riding on rough or slippery terrain.
3 Less Maintenance:
One final advantage of locking out the rear suspension is that it requires less maintenance. This is because there are fewer moving parts which means that there is less chance of something going wrong.
Disadvantages:
- Harder on the Body:
One of the main disadvantages of locking out the rear suspension is that it can be harder on your body. This is because you are effectively eliminating one of the shock absorbers from the equation, which means that your body will feel any bumps or vibrations more.
2 Harsher Ride:
Another downside of locking out the rear suspension is that it can make for a harsher ride. This is because you are no longer benefiting from the shock absorption, which can make for a rougher ride, especially on rougher terrain.
3 Limited Suspension:
The final disadvantage of locking out the rear suspension is that it limits the amount of travel that your suspension has. This means that if you hit a big bump or hole, your bike will not be able to absorb as much of the impact, which could lead to damage.
So, there you have some of the main advantages and disadvantages of locking out the rear suspension on your bike. As you can see, this technique has pros and cons, so it is really up to you to decide whether or not it is something you want to try.
Can You Lock Out The Suspension of All Mountain Bikes?
Mountain biking is a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the outdoors. However, one of the downsides to mountain biking is that the suspension can make it difficult to control the bike.
If you are having trouble with your suspension, you may be able to lock it out. This will make it easier to control your bike and make the ride less comfortable.
So, can you lock out the suspension of all mountain bikes? The answer is yes, but it may not be suitable for all riders.
If you are a beginner, it is probably best to leave the suspension unlocked. This will give you a better chance of staying upright and avoiding injury.
If you are more experienced, you may be able to get away with locking out the suspension on some occasions. However, it is important to remember that this will make the ride less comfortable and may not be suitable for all terrain.
Is Suspension Lock Out Really Essential For a Mountain Bike?
Mountain biking is a physically demanding sport that requires a great deal of strength, stamina, and skill. It can be a thrilling experience, but it can also be extremely dangerous.
That’s why it’s important to have the right equipment, including a mountain bike with a suspension lockout.
Suspension lockout is a feature that allows you to lock the suspension of your mountain bike.
This is useful when you’re riding on smooth surfaces, such as paved roads or trails. It prevents the suspension from bouncing around and makes pedalling more efficient.
However, some people argue that suspension lockout is not essential for a mountain bike. They claim that it’s not necessary for most riding conditions and that it can actually make the ride less comfortable.
VISUAL EXPLANATIONS:
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Mountain Bikes And Suspensions
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Does bike suspension slow you down?
That depends on a few factors, like the terrain you’re riding on and your personal preference. In general, though, yes, bike suspension can slow you down.
If you’re riding on flat terrain, suspended bikes tend to be slower because they have more moving parts and are therefore heavier. They also have more friction, so they take more energy to pedal.
However, if you’re going over rough terrain, bike suspension can actually help you maintain your speed by absorbing some of the impacts from bumps and potholes.
It really comes down to what kind of riding you’re doing and what feels comfortable for you. Some people prefer the smoother ride of a suspended bike, even if it means sacrificing a bit of speed.
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What is hydraulic lockout?
A hydraulic lockout is a device that is used to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid. It is usually used in systems where there is a potential for high pressure, such as in car brakes or in construction equipment.
Hydraulic lockout devices usually consist of a valve that can be opened and closed to allow or block the flow of fluid and a pressure relief mechanism to release excessive pressure buildup.
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Can you ride downhill on a hardtail mountain bike?
Yes, you can ride downhill on a hardtail mountain bike, but it will be more difficult than riding a full-suspension mountain bike.
Hardtails are designed for cross-country riding, so they’re not as good at absorbing the bumps and jumps you’ll encounter when riding downhill.
This can make hardtail mountain bikes harder to control and more likely to give you a rough ride.
If you decide to ride downhill on a hardtail mountain bike, take it slow and be prepared for a bumpier ride than usual.
